Did you know the tomato dates back to the early Aztecs? It wasn’t until the 16^th century that Europeans were introduced to the fruit. It was quickly accepted into kitchens and was admired for its beauty, but many believed it was poisonous. It was not introduced as a kitchen vegetable in the United States until prior to the Civil War.

With spring just around the corner, gardeners are itching for an outlet. Tomatoes are a great solution and can easily be started from seed indoors approximately the first week of April in Michigan. Paul Graebert, English Gardens Eastpointe General Manager and Tomato Expert, shares some of his favorite varieties and tips for care.

A few of Paul’s favorite Botanical Interests tomato seeds include:

• Tomato Cherry Rainbow Blend: A unique combination of different colored cherry tomatoes. Start inside four to six weeks before transplanting.
• Tomato Pole Beesteak: Large, meaty, delectable tomatoes perfect for sandwiches! Vines are vigorous and will require a sturdy wire cage to support them.
• Tomato Pole Green Zebra: Known for its unique flavor and color, the Green Zebra tomato turns a slight amber blush when it’s ripe.
• Tomato Pole San Marzano: With an excellent flavor, San Marzano is delicious on sandwiches or slice diagonally and top with mozzarella slices for a mouth-watering appetizer.
• Tomato Pole Brandywine: Named after the Brandywine Creek in Pennsylvania, this is an old heirloom tomato dating back to 1889 and has been passed down from generation to generation.  
• Tomato Bush Supremo: Enjoy loads of tomatoes ideal for sauces, salads or sandwiches!

Start these seeds inside as the packet directs, which is typically four to eight weeks before the average last frost. Transplant when air temperature is 45 degrees or warmer, usually one to two weeks after last average frost date.

How to Start Tomato Seeds

In order to start your tomato seeds inside you will need:

• Jiffy Pots: Plant directly outside without disturbing tender, young roots. These all natural seed starting pots are biodegradable and contain premium sphagnum peat.
• Miracle Gro Seed Starting Potting Mix: When starting seeds indoors, you need a soil that promotes healthy growth. This lightweight formula is specially formulated for germinating vegetable, flower and herb seeds.
• Sunblaster Nanodome: This easy to use kit contains everything you need to start seeds indoors, including the growing tray, vented Nanodome cover and lighting kit.

Simply pour some of the Miracle Gro Seed Starting Potting Mix into your Jiffy Pots. Make an indent in the soil and drop in the tomato seeds of your choice. Place in the Nanodome and affix the light. Keep the soil moist, not wet.

Transplanting, Growing & Harvesting

Once your seedlings have reached heights of three to four inches and the air temperature is above 45 degrees, begin to slowly introduce them to the outdoors. Paul Graebert explains, “The “hardening off” process should occur over a 10-day period. Find a sheltered place outside where the seedlings can sit in filtered sunlight and out of the wind. Wind is the common enemy of your tomato seedlings.” Place your seedlings in this place for several hours on the first day. Bring them back inside. On the second day place them in the same spot for a longer period. Continue to take them back and forth each day, leaving them in that spot longer each time and slowly increasing their sun exposure. After five days, leave the seedlings outside overnight for the remaining five days and keep an eye on their protection and weather conditions.

After the hardening off period, your tomato plants are ready for planting in the ground! When transplanting, there are two different options. Place the tomato plants deeply, burying the stem and leaving one to two sets of leaves above ground. Or set the tomato plant horizontally in ground leaving one to two sets of leaves above ground. The buried part will develop a strong root system.

Place tomato cages in the ground at transplant time. Provide tomatoes with one to two inches of water per week. One or two deep soaks and two to three soaks in warmer weather is sufficient. For more information on growing tomatoes, visit our 5 Tips to Grow Tomatoes blog. 

Check your seed packet to determine what the color the tomato is when it’s ripe. This is will help determine when to harvest your tomatoes. Picking often and early increases yield.

When you’re ready to harvest, pick your tomatoes using the Bosmere Harvesting Apron. This waterproof apron features a large extendable pouch to collect your delicious tomatoes in. It can also be used for garden cuttings or waste!

If you notice a water-soaked spot at the blossom end of your tomatoes while harvesting, your tomatoes may be suffering from blossom rot. “Blossom rot is fairly common,” says Paul. “It is caused by calcium deficiency as most planting mediums, particularly used for container gardening, do not provide sufficient calcium. Simply apply Bonide Rot Stop to prevent this from happening.”

“If you’re concerned about animal browsing, simply apply the Plantskydd granular formula to your garden. Safe for use in protecting vegetables, Plantskydd repels animals by emitting an odor browsing animals associate with predator activity,” says Paul.  

“I’ve always enjoyed planting tomatoes,” says Paul. “It was something my Dad did. You feel a sense of accomplishment when you pluck a tomato from the vine. Plus, with so many varieties you can plant any color or shape in your garden.”